Updated

Kobe Bryant is uncertain when he'll return to the Los Angeles Lakers after missing last season's playoffs with a torn Achilles tendon.

Bryant is more certain about a few other things: He'll come back strong from his injury, and the Lakers will attempt to contend for another title even without Dwight Howard.

Bryant joined his teammates for the opening day of training camp Saturday, but he's still a long way from stepping on the practice court. The fourth-leading scorer in NBA history is running on a special treadmill and doing some court drills, but still isn't sprinting or playing basketball after surgery in mid-April.

Pau Gasol also will sit out a few days of practice while easing back from offseason treatment on his knees.